Texas Monsoon Season :: Rainy Day Activities

Monsoon: a seasonal prevailing wind in the region of South and Southeast Asia, blowing from the southwest between May and September and bringing rain (the wet monsoon), or from the northeast between October and April (the dry monsoon).

I think I'd like to apply to Merriam-Webster for a new definition.

Monsoon: a hold on to your boots because it's still raining in Texas and it's nearly June occurrence wherein nearly every river in our great state is out of its banks, yards in East Texas quiver into mush at the slightest chance of precipitation, and Natural Bridge Caverns near San Antonio develops a new cave tour called Discovery Aquifer.

This is not normal, folks.

I do, however, appreciate this wonderful rain and its ability to bring us out of a drought that began in 2011. I don't think I have ever been as hot as I had that summer with 40 consecutive days of at least 100 degrees. I just wish we could find a happy weather medium and stick to it.

Needless to say, it has been a wild Spring; we've had tornadoes, flash floods, an over population of mosquitoes, and an abundance of pollen. Since January, Longview has experienced 30.5 inches of precipitation, not including today's deluge or the copious amounts predicted for the remainder of the weekend. Our average yearly total is 47.55 inches. I think we may hit that mark a little early this year!

So, what's a girl to do with 2 boys who didn't get to play out their soccer season and end up with cancelled park days?

Rainy Day Activities:

1. Get creative - Make duck tape anything, paint with rain water, or even 3D print your heart out. The sky is the limit when it comes to creating, and Pinterest can help get you started.

2. Have a bake-a-thon - Bake cookies or breads, try out that newest recipe, or even prep meals for the coming weeks. Kids love helping in the kitchen.

3. Visit the gym - If you've got a membership to your local gym or YMCA now is the perfect time to dust it off and go for some exercise!

4. Talk a walk - As long as the rain is light and there's no thunder, head to the closest trail head and take a walk. Nature will surprise you in the rain. Don't forget your umbrella and rain boots!

5. Clean it out - This is the perfect time to clean out closets, go through junk drawers, and organize the garage before summer and sunshine hit, because once it's here, I won't be cleaning!

6. Catch up on your reading - Summer reading programs across the country are beginning. Why not visit your public library and check out some great spring and summer reads!

7.  Go Bowling - If you aren't signed up yet, you should be! Kids Bowl Free is a great program and it is already underway.

A Pinterest Production :: Super Hero or Princess Fort Kit



 

 



Before Christmas, I scoured Pinterest heavily searching for cute gift ideas to make for family and friends. One of my favorite finds, the Super Hero Fort, made me recall childhood memories of stringing sheets across the living room and stacking books to anchor them to chairs. I fell in love with this idea and churned out several over a weekend for all the super heroes and princesses I know!

First, visit your local general merchandise retailer (Wal-Mart, Target, The Dollar Tree) and purchase the following items*:

• 2 twin sheets
• ribbon
• rope
• clamps
• suction cups
• clothespins
• flashlight(s)
• Glo-sticks
• batteries
• a canvas drawstring bag (You can also make a bag if you are inclined.)

*You can customize what goes into each kit, but these items give you a general idea of the basics.

Before putting the kits together, I modified one of the two sheets by adding ribbon ties. This will help children avoid using stacked books or other breakables as anchors! To make the adaptation, first turn each sheet corner under approximately 5 inches and sew flat. Using 24 inches of ribbon, per corner, sew the ribbon onto the bottom side of each tucked sheet corner. I made four passes to ensure sturdiness.

To give the kit a polished look, I created a special tag to let the receiver know exactly what was included in the kit. It makes for a cute label and a handy check-list to ensure all items return back into the bag. You can customize your label with the kit's theme, the child's name, and bag items. I also had it laminated.

Before gifting, I filled the canvas bag with the kit's materials. Since I purchased the sheets as Wal-Mart, they came in little pouches. I used those pouches to hold some of the smaller items. Don't forget to tie on your label!

Be prepared for lots of smiles and a, "That's cool!" or "Can we build it right now?"

These also make great birthday gifts or as a special rainy day activity!